SCHOOL CLOSURES: THE Labour founding fathers of Durham County Council used to believe that "nothing was too good for the bairns" and allocated resources accordingly.

Recent reports suggest that the present Labour Group seems to say that "nothing is too good for councillors" and spend our council tax for this purpose.

As an ex-headteacher of Burnhope Primary School, I am saddened to read of its proposed closure. I remember when the county council designated the village Category D and condemned it to wither on the vine. They got that wrong, had to reverse their decision, and today Burnhope is a growth area. Sadly, the school closure would be irreversible.

All the proposed school closures, care home closures, and the inflated allowances for councillors were much more easily brought about because one political party has had an overwhelming majority at local level for many years.

Absolute power breeds arrogance. Nothing makes politicians listen to the wishes of the people more than the fear of losing their seats and "perks".

At the next county elections we must vote with this in mind. - B Stockdale, Leadgate.

DISBELIEF and disgust was felt in the community with the announcement of Durham County Council's plan to close small schools, which included Cassop Primary.

The manner in which staff and governors had to find out this news was nothing more than an insult. It goes beyond belief to close a school of unquestionable high standards and achievements in education in order to send pupils to far inferior schools.

What has happened to Tony Blair's commitment to improved education with smaller class sizes and maintenance of small schools?

England's first wind-powered school had its turbine officially opened by Mr Blair, who declared the school as the way forward and a great example to all the country.

There are very strong community links: the school IS the community with many events and projects jointly carried out throughout the year.

Is it only a coincidence or a carefully-planned manoeuvre by the county council that these plans were left to be announced until after last month's local elections?

A place of happy, excellent learning and experiences must come before cost and sizes of buildings. - L Smith, Cassop.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

RECENT reports published in The Northern Echo reinforce the public's long-held view that many of our judges are unmistakably out of touch with the general population.

European judges ordered our Government to pay a drugs trafficker £3,400 in costs because his human rights were breached in the way in which evidence was obtained.

What about our human rights? Do we not deserve protection from such miscreants?

We rely on the judiciary to impose sentences which punish and deter and, quite frankly, it is simply not done. The whole system is abhorrent that allows convicted criminals leave to seek financial redress from the hard-working British taxpayer like you and me and the majority of your readers.

Home Secretary David Blunkett may not always be popular, but I do concur with him that it is high time judges were more in tune with the people and their wishes rather than coming out with statements to justify lenient sentences, which are often absolute nonsense to the general population. - Robert Bridgett, Shildon.

HEALTH SERVICE

SO this Government thinks the NHS is doing well, yet official figures show that waiting lists for operations have increased yet again, after only a month since the then Health Minister Alan Milburn was crowing about a significant reduction.

No one can claim that a figure of over a million people waiting is something to be proud of.

Like many senior citizens, my wife and I have unfortunately to attend hospital for a variety of reasons. Recently, she had to wait an hour and a half over her consultant appointment time. I was told that I had to wait for tests before I saw a consultant and that there would be a delay.

After waiting nearly two hours, I was told that the tests could not be carried out that day. On another appointment I had to wait over two hours to see a consultant.

This all gives a picture of a health service in a pretty parlous state and I for one am going to take a lot of convincing that the NHS has improved since this Government took over. - RK Bradley, Darlington.

REFUGEES

WITH war in Iraq dominating the headlines in recent weeks it is worth reflecting on the little-known fact that Iraqis were far and away the largest single group of people applying for political asylum in the UK last year.

Coming to Britain to find a place of safety away from human rights abuses in Saddam Hussein's Iraq, these vulnerable people deserve our welcome and understanding.

In return, as Amnesty International and countless refugee and community groups can testify, Iraqis and other refugees in Britain will make a valuable contribution to our society - in the arts, in sport, in business and in professions like teaching and nursing.

The rich input of refugees in this country is celebrated in Refugee Week this week.

We urge readers to look behind the headlines on asylum and find out why they can be proud of Britain's newest communities and of the principle of providing a safe haven for those persecuted in other countries. - C Bolton, on behalf of the Durham Amnesty International Group.